Control mechanism



uly 16, 1940. G. E. Pa za conmon nncr umsu, Filed Apz il 17. 1939 2 Sheets- -Sheet 1 1.1V VENIOR Erie:

I ATTORNEYS.

my 16, 1940. G. E. PORTER 2,207,700

CONTROL MECHANISM -Filed April 17. '1939 2 Shae ts-Sheet 2 1 'mVbwz ok BY 65 71:12 .2? Br g):

Patented July 16, 1940 UNITED STATES CONTROL MECHANISM I Gilbert E. Porter, Detroit, Mich, assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Power Devices Development Company, East Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application April 17, 1939, Serial No. 268,2

18 Claims.

clutches of automotive vehicles including a vac-- uum operated member having a -movable wall and a control member associated in a unit therewith, the unit being applicable to and removable from a motor vehicle as such; the provision of a vacuum operated device for actuating-and controlling the actuation of the brakes or the clutch of an automotive vehicle comprising a unit embodying all of the essential elements of the actuating and controlling mechanism and applicable to already existing vehicles or to vehicles in the process of manufacture; the provision of a unitary device of the type described including a vacuum actuated-movable wall'adapted for association with the brakes or the clutch of an automotivevehicle, the movable wall having an associated control valve movable therewith and pedal means arranged in adjacent relationship 30 with respect to the movable wall for actuating 'the valvular means; the provision of a structure as above described that is applicable directly to the usual clutch o'r brake pedals of an automotive vehicle; and the provision of a unitary clutch or brake control mechanism including a baseplate and a member pivotally-associated therewith, a"

bellows being extended between the base plate and the member and adapted to actuate the member when interiorly subjected to a partial vacuum, and the member adapted for direct association with the clutch or brake pedal of an automotive vehicle to eflect actuation thereof, the aforesaid member carrying a control valve controlling the admis'sion ofsub-atmospheric pressure to the interior of the bellows and a control member being directly associated with the aforesaid member for controlling the valve; and the provision of a device'oi the type described -that may be manually actuated in a conventional manner upon failure of the source oi. suction.

Other objects 'of the invention-include a device of .the type described in which the master cylinder of-a hydraulic braking system is incorporated as anelement of the unit; the provision of a M unitary'...asaemblase including a mastencylinder having a piston and a vacuum operated movable wall connected to the piston for effecting actuation thereof, the movable wall carrying a valve for controlling the application of subatmospheric pressure to the interior face of the movable wall and a control pedal being operatively associated with the movable wall for controlling the valve; the provision of a construction as above described including a liquid reservoir for the hydraulic braking system; and the provision of a unitary assemblage including a master cylinder and reservoir for a hydraulic braking system together with a vacuum operated bellows, a control valve for thesame, and a control pedal for the valve, all associated into a unitary assemblage applica ble to and removable from a motor vehicle as I such.

Further objects of the invention include the provision of a novel and simple form of mechanism for imparting a reaction in the control pedal for a vacuum operated brake or clutch actuating mechanism to give the operator a feel of the brake or clutch; to provide a vacuum operated mechanism for actuating the brakeor theclutch of a motor vehicle including a control pedal together with a novel means for mounting the control pedal with relation to the actuated part whereby the operation of the control pedal is resisted by a force proportional'to the amount of force applied by the vacuum operated mechanism to the actuated part; the provision of a constructionas above described inv which the movable wall of the vacuum operated member is directly associated with the control pedal therefor; the provision of a construction as above described in which the movable wail of the vacuum operated member cooperates with the control pedal and during operation tends to rotate the control pedal in a direction opposite to'that required to actuate the associated control valve 40 to efiect continuedoperation of the vacuum op erated member; and the provision of a' unitary brake or clutch actuating mechanism for motor vehicles and the like including a vacuum actuated bellows or its equivalent having a movable wall, a valvefor controlling the same, and a foot. pedal for controlling the valve so associated with the v vacuum operated member as to resist operative movement thereof by a force proportional to the force applied by the vacuum operated member upon the clutch or brake, the vacuum operated member, valve and pedal all being arranged in a unitary assemblage applicable to and removable from a motor vehicle or the like as such.

Further objects include the provision, in a ll device of the type above described, of an inertia operated member for resisting too severe application of the brakes of a vehicle; and the provision view.

In the accompanying. drawings which illustrate suitable embodiments of the present invention, and in which like-numerals refer to like parts throughoutthe several difierent views,

Fig. 1 is a more or less diagrammatic plan view of the power plant for a motor vehicle illustrating the application of the present invention to the control of both the clutch and the brakes thereof;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary, vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-2 'of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a face view of the foot pedal shown in Fig. 2 taken as on the line 3-3 thereof, the

same being shown in broken condition to better illustrate the construction ofthe same;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, partially broken, sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 and particularly illustrating the head of the actu-' ating bellows and the control valve carried thereby;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4 in a plane passing axially through the control valve and illustrating the control valve in its inoperative position;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but illustrating the control valve in its operative position;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating a modified form of construction particularly adapting the present invention to hydraulic braking systems; I

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7; and,

Fig. 9 (Sheet #1) is a fragmentary, partially broken, partially sectioned view illustrating the application of an inertia operated member to either of the constructions shown in the previous views to obtain further desirable results.

The desirability of employing vacuum operated mechanism to aid in the actuation of the clutches or brakes of motor vehicles is well recognized in the art-and a number of difierent constructions for this purpose have gone into relatively wide use, particularly on factory equipped jobs. The application of such mechanism to already existing motor vehicles has not been so widespread chiefly because of the added expense involved but also because onlya limited number of such constructions have provided certain features considered essential to the commercial practicability of such mechanisms. One of the chief drawbacks to the sale of such mechanism to already existing motor vehicles is the relative high cost of installation as heretofore such structures have invariably required substantial changes in the already existing braking structure when applied to brakes and seemingly unnecessary complications when. applied to both clutches and brakes. The

disadvantages of the heretofore suggested construction in that it provides a unitary assemblage including all of the elements required to actuate the clutch or the brake of an automotive vehicle and is applicable to or removable from the motor vehicle as a unit. It may be applied to a motor vehicle without any alteration of any sort whatever in the clutch or braking systems although in most cases it will be desirable to remove the. usual pedal pads associated with the clutch and brake pedal levers. This feature renders the. construction particularly adaptable to already existing motor vehicles although'it will be readily understood that it is equally well adaptable to motor vehicles in the process of manufacture. The construction furthermore provides the desirable feature of employing a so-called follow up valve in the application of a sub-atmospheric pressure to the movable wall of the vacuum op erated member so as to enable controlled actua- I tion of the same, andfurther is preferably such as to provide a feel in the operator of the extent of pressure being applied to the clutch or the brake proportionalto the amount of pressure being applied to these members in order to actu-f ate the same. p

Referring now to the accompanying drawings and particularly to Figs. 1 'to 6, inclusive, it will be noted that in Fig. l the power' plant of a motor vehicle is illustrated more or less diagrammatically to disclose the application of the present invention thereto. The power plant includes an engine indicated generally at 10 of the usual internal combustion type having an intake manifold l2, a clutch housing M fixed to one end of the engine and including a clutch (not shown) of conventional construction and the control of which is taken care of in a conventional manner by means of a rotatable shaft l6 carried by the clutch housing and the rotatable movement of which is adapted to be controlled in a conventional manner by means of a clutch pedal lever I8 fixed to the shaft 16. The braking system for the associated vehicle may include a cross-shaft 20 carrying a pair of double armed levers 22 fixedthereto between their ends and the free end portions of which are suitably connected to brake rods 25 which may extend directly or indirectly to the brakes (not shown) on the various wheels of the vehicle. The cross-shaft 20 is provided with an additional lever 26 connected by means of a link 28 to a short lever 3|] shown in the present case and for the purpose of illustration only as being fixed to a sleeve 32 rotatably mounted upon the shaft l6 and also to which isfixed a usual or conventional brake pedal lever 34. Two units, each indicated generally at 36 in Fig. 1, constructed in accordance with the present invention are provided, one in association with each the clutch lever l8 and brake lever 34 and these units 36 are connected by means of suitable tubes 38 with the interior of the intake manifold I2 so as to afford a source of suction for each of the units 36. I

Inasmuch as each of the units 36 are substantially identical in construction, and. may in fact be identical in construction, it will benecessary here to describe one of them only and for that purpose it will be assumed that the unit hereinafter described will be that employed for the control of the brakes and, for' that reason, specific reference hereafter will be, made both in the specification and claims to the application of the present invention to brakes only,

its, application to the clutch or to other uses 75 extending dash 44, all of which is conventional.

The brake pedal lever 84 projects through a suitable opening 48 in the toe board 42 in a conventional manner, and it will'beunderstood from an inspection of Fig. '2 that the usual pedal pad conventionally provided at the upper ends of such brake pedal levershas' been removed in any suitable manner and such'end preferably slightly rounded as indicated. Y

In accordance with the present invention a base plate 8 preferably formed from sheet metal to the shape shown and which is of substantially fiat character having downwardly turned short marginal edge flange portions 88, is secured to the toe board 42 by means of bolts 52 and nuts 48 is of approximately rectangular formation except that adjacent its upper endit is slightly increased in width to accommodate the full extent of the corresponding end wall of the bellows to be hereinafter more fully described.

Adjacent its lower end the base plate48, at opposite sides thereof, is provided with a pair of preferably integral lugs or ears 58 arranged with the planes thereof extending perpendicularly with respect to the plane of the base plate 48.-

A foot pedal 88 of the same generab contour as the base plate 48 is provided at the lower end thereof with inturned flanges 82 at the opposite sides thereof which straddle the ears 58 and are pivotally connected thereto by means of a pin 84 for movement toward and away from the base An additional member 88 preferably formed from sheet metal and also having at its lower end a pair of inwardly turned lugs or ears 88 at the opposite sides thereof fitting within the flanges 8-2 of the pedal 68' and disposed between the base plate 48 and the-pedal 88, is pivotally connected to the pedal 88 by means of a pin 18. The member 86 is adapted to be connected to the brake pedal. lever 84 and while this may be accomplished by any suitable means such as linkages, rollers or the like, for the purpose of simplicity only the member 88 is shown as"be1ng provided with a wear plate 12 suitably secured thereto as by spot welding or the like-and in a position to abut .the outer or free endof the brake pedal lever 34. The wearplate I2 may be of a hardened metallic material to better withstand the wearing action of its contact with the brake pedal lever 84, or ahy other suitable mtenal'.

While either a piston and cylinder 91- a bellows may be employed to provide a suction operated-- movable wall as the power applying element, the bellows being of lighter, simpler and more economical construction, it is shown by way of illustration. Accordingly, the base plate 48 has secured thereto above the opening 88 therein an upwardly opening cup-shaped 'member 88 and the upper end of the member 88 is provided with a similar forwardly and downwardly opening It will be noted from an inspection of Fig. 3 that the base plate cup-shaped member 82 suitably flxed thereto. The members 88 and 82 form the opposite end wall portions of a collapsible bellows 84 preferably formed from rubber or other suitable flexible material and the opposite ends of which are sealed and fixed to the members 88 and 82 in any.

suitable manner. The particular bellows 84 shown is illustrated as being constructed of rubber and as being interiorly provided with rigid metallic rings 88 at the' points of maximum diameter thereof to prevent bodily collapse of the bellows under the influence of partial vacuum therein.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 4, -5 and 6 it will be noted that the upper cup-shaped member 82 forming the upper end wall of the bellows 84 forms the base of a control valve which may be of any suitable type of follow up .valve but is here shown by way of illustration as of the plunger type. It includes a main body portion 88 formed integrally with the end 82 and is centrally provided with a bore 98 in which a cylindrical valve member or plunger 92 is reciporcably received. The valve plunger 92 is provided with an out-turned flange 84- at its lower or inner end and a head 96 at its outer end, a coiled spring 98 being maintained under compression between the it is communicated through the filtering material the cup-shaped member 82 serves to secure the member 82 and the valve mechanism carried thereby in fixed relation with respect to the member 86. The covermember I88 is resiliently maintained in position by the spring 88 which permits it to be lifted to replace suitable porous filtering material I88 enclosed by it, without dis,- mantling any parts of the apparatus. The valve plunger 92 is provided with an axi bore I84 extending from its inner end to a point substantially mid-way its length where itis connected by means of cross-passages I88 to an annular passage or chamber I88.formed in its exterior surface adjacent such location. The body 88 of .the valve is provided with an opening III .therethrough which,,when the flange 94 of the valve 82 lies against the inner end of the valve body, is aligned with the passage I88. The cover member I88 is provided with one or more openings |I2 therein which thus communicates the atmosphere to the interior of thecover I88 where I88 and the passages 8, I88, I86 and I84 with the interior of the bellows 84 to-thus place the device in inoperative position. The body 88 0f the valve is 'also'provided'with passages H4, H8-

of the tubes which as previously explained communicates with any suitable source of suction, here shown by way of illustration as the I i interior of the intake manifold l2 of the engine It whichthereby provides a source of suction for actuating the=apparatus, At-least that pprtion of the tube 88 extending between the valve body 38 and the dash 44 is of a readily flexible nature.

It will be noted that when the valve plunger 92 is in the inoperative position to which it is urged by means ofthe spring 98, the passage III! is closed to the bore 90. However, when pressure is applied to the head 96 of the valve plunger 92 so as to cause it to move inwardly or to the left passage I08 becomes aligned with the passage I I8 whereupon the partial suction of the manifold I2 is communicated through the tube 38, passages H4, H6 and H8 and then through the annular chamber I08 and passages I86 and I04 with the interior of the bellows 84 which tends to collapse the bellows and draw the opposite ends and 82 thereof toward each other. 'The valve'inem ber 92 is thus actuated from the inoperative position illustrated in Fig. 5 to the operative position illustratedin Fig. 6 through the medium of the pedal 60 the upper end of which is adapted to and bears against the head 96 of the valve plunger.

The force of the spring 98 is sufiicient-to maintain the pedal 60 in'inoperative position when free of pressure from the foot of the operator, or at least free of substantial pressure, and means are preferably provided for limiting movement of the pedal 60 away from the head 96 of the valve. One form of means for accomplishing this result is illustrated in the drawings as comprising lugs I extending inwardly from opposite sides of the pedal 60 below the upper head of the bellows 84 and provided at their inner ends with inturned end portions I22 which underlie the corresponding marginal edge portions of the members 66. Means are also preferably provided for providing an adjustable stop for limiting the amount of opening of the valve so as to provide either 'a slow operating brake, a fast operating brake, or any speed of operation between these limits. As. an illustration of one form of such means a. screw I23 is threaded upwardly through the wear plate I2 and member 66 with its upwardly and rearwardly projecting end in a position to contact the pedal 60 and thus limit its approach toward the member 66 and consequent operation of the valve. A conventional lock nut I24 may be provided for locking the screw I23 in adjusted position.

It will be understood that the device as illustrated in Fig. 2 is in inoperative position with the brakes of the cooperating vehicle released and the valve in the position illustrated in Fig. 5 in which the interior of the bellows 84 is in open communication with the atmosphere. Although. separate spring means maybe employed to maintain the member 66 in its fully spaced relation with respect to the base plate 48, this will ordinarily not be required for the reason that the usual springs (not shown) associated with both the clutch and brake mechanism of motor vehicles will constantly urge the associated pedal lever towards its fully released position which will serve to maintain the member 66 in its fully inoperative position shown. If now the operator desires to apply the brakes, in the case assumed,

the ball or toe of his foot is placed against the .manifold I2. I efiects of the suction in the intake manifold I2 upper portion of the pedal 60 and pressure is applied therethrough tending to rotate the pedal p60 in a counterclockwise direction of rotation as viewed in Fig. 2. As previously explained the initial movement of the pedal 60 in this direction will operate through the head 96 of the plunger '92 to first operate the plunger to close the interior of the bellows 84 to the atmosphere and then open the interior of the bellows to the effects of .the suction then existing within the intake Also as previously explained the will tend to collapse the bellows 84 and tend to draw the heads 80 and 82 toward one another.

and the head 80 being fixed with respect to the toe board 42 the head 82 will be drawn toward it and will tend to rotate the member 66 in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin. 10 as viewed in Fig. 2. The member '66 in thus rotating in a counterclockwise direction of rotation will act against the end. ofthe pedal lever '34 to depress such end and to move the associated brake mechanism in 'a direction tending to apply the brakes.

If the operator, after effecting an initial movement of the pedal 60 in an operating direction sufficient to effect an initial operation of the mechanism as described, arrests further inward movement'of the pedal 60, the inward movement of the valve plunger 92 will be arrested and the continued inward movement of the member 66 and head 82 of the bellows under the influence of the suction remaining in the bellows will cause a relative outward movement of the valve plunger 92 with respect to the body 88 of the valve until the annular passage or chamber I08 in the valve plunger 92 is brought out of registry with the cooperating end of the passage H8 at which time further drop in suction in the interior of the bellows 84 will be discontinued and the various parts will assume a position of rest at the point thus reached. If theoperator now presses the pedal 60 further downwardly in an operative direction the valve plunger 92 will again be moved the pedal with sufiicient force to maintain the valve plunger 92 in a position to maintain the interior of the bellows 84 in constant open communication with the interior of the intake manifold I2, and causes the pedal 60 to follow the movement of the member .66 downwardly during the application of the brakes, the brakes may be completely applied in a single movement. On the other hand regardless of the extent to which the bellows has been collapsed by operation of the pedal 60 as above described, if at any position in the operation of the mechanism the operator relieves the pressure on the pedal 60, the spring 98 will immediately move the-valve plunger 92 to shut off communication of the bellows 84 with the interior of the intake manifold I2 and will open such interior to the atmosphere through the passages described, upon which the mechanism will immediately return to inoperative position and release the brakes.

Thus with the construction above described the pedal 60 may be operated to obtain any desired degree of braking movement of the brake pedal lever 84 and consequently any degree of braking desired on the vehicle may ,-be obtained by a proper manipulation of the pedal 60. It will also be appreciated that should, for any reason whatever, the suction in the intake manifold i2 be destroyed or its proper connection with the mechanism be interrupted, the operator of the vehicle may, by simply pressing down on the pedal 88, effect manual operation of the brakes in the same manner as though the vacuum operated mechanism was entirely eliminated. This feature is a safety measure insuring complete control over the operated clutch-or brake mechanism under any possible condition of use.

As previously mentioned it is desirable in constructions of the type herein involved that some means be provided for giving the operator of the vehicle a feel of the brakes or clutch operated by the vacuum actuated'mechanism, and this is provided by imparting to the pedal 88 a. reacting force proportional to the amount of pressure being applied to the pedal lever 84 tending to resist actuation of the pedalGO. The construction described provides this reacting force in the-following manner., As the head 82 of the bellows is drawn inwardly under the influence of a suction or partial vacuum within the bellows 84, it tends to pivot the member 68 about its point of contact with the free end of the pedal lever 84. I

In other words as the bellows draws the upper end of the member 66 forwardly or inwardly it tends to rotate the lower end of the member 68 outwardly or rearwardly. Because of the fact that the pivot pin by means of which the member 68 is pivoted to the pedal 80 is disposed in spaced relation to and above the pivot pin 64 by means of which the pedal 88 is pivoted to the base plate-48, this force tends to rotate the pedal 68 in a. clockwise direction of rotation as viewed in Fig. 2 in opposition to the force which the operator applies to the pedal 68 in order to effect actuation of the mechanism. Inasmuch as the force required to actuate the pedal lever 84 and consequently the brakes of the vehicle increases as' the pedal lever 84 is moved inwardly, thereactive force exerted to the member 88 tending to rotate the pedal 80 in ,a direction opposite to that to which it is urged by the foot of the driver increases, and because the connection between the bellows 84 and pedal 68 providing this reaction is through a simple system of leverages it will be appreciated that the reactive force in the pedal 80 is at all times proportional to the force which is exerted upon the pedal lever 84 andconsequently upon the brakes of the vehicle. Thus the reactive force which is felt by the operator of the vehicle in applying pressure through his foot to actuate the pedal 88 is always proportional to the actual pressure which is being applied to the brake or the clutch of the vehicle, as the case may be, and accurately apprises him at all times of the relative pressure which is being applied to the device. The actual amount of such pressure may, of course, be varied to meet the desires of the particular designer by varying the spacing of the pivot pins 84 and 18, by varying the point of application of the force of the 'bellows 84 on the member 68 with respect to the cut to the operator through the reactive force set up in the pedal 88.

, It will/be appreciated that the base plate 48, pedal member 66, bellows 84 and control valve mechanism constitutes a unitary assemblage which may be simply secured to the toe board of a motor vehicle over either the brake or clutch pedal and by simply connecting it with the intake manifold of the associated engine or other suitable source of suction, instantly provides a complete- 1y operable device. As previously, mentioned although it will ordinarily be advisable to remove the usual pedal pad on the end'of the pedal lever 84 as indicated in the drawing, it will also be appreciated that by making the opening 56 in the base plate 48 of a sufilcient size, to permit the passage of the usual pedal .pad therethrough, no change whatever need be made in the existing construction of a motor vehicle in order to enable the application of the present invention thereto.

It will be appreciated that'a device constructed in accordance with the above disclosure is applicable to the braking system of a motor vehicle regrdless of whether the braking system is of the mechanical or of the hydraulic type as in either 'case the conventional brake system will include a pedal lever equivalent to the lever 84 described which will permit ready, quick and simple application of the present invention thereto. However, and particularly wherethe present invention is to be applied to a motor vehicle Figs. 7 and 8 which will considerably simplify the construction inasmuch as in such case the master hydraulic cylinder for the braking system is constructed as a unitary part of the vacuum booster device.

Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8 it will be observed that instead of employing a base plate such as the base plate 48 previously described, a base plate in the form of a pan-like member I88 is employed, it being of a greater depth at its upper end than at its lower end and being pro vided with a marginal flange I82 projecting outwardly therefrom. Preferably the toe board 42 is provided with an opening of suiiicient size to, permit the insertion of the pan-like base I88 therethrough with the flange I82 overlying the margins of the opening and being secured tostead of employing a bellows of the same type as I the bellows 84 previously described, in this casea bellows I88 of the same general type of construction but of more or less rectangular formation in transverse section is provided between the base plate I80 and the member 68' and instead of providing separate heads for the bellows as in the previously described construction, the opposite ends of the bellows are connected and sealed directly to the base plate I80 and member 86", respectively, to obtain the same general effeet. The construction and operation of these parts being identical to that in the construction previously described no specific description of these parts, nor the mode and-manner of actuabelow the same.

tion thereof is necessary in connection with the modification illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8.

' The main diiierence isthat in the construction illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 the master cylinder I 40 for a hydraulic braking system is rigidly fixed to the'base I30 and projects downwardly This master cylinder I40 is. provided with a bore I42 in which a piston I44 is recipr'ocablymounted and is constantly urged toward inoperative position by means of a coil spring I46 positioned within the cylinder I40 and maintained under compression between the piston I44 and the outer end of the cylinder. An additional spring I48 may be provided as illustrated in surrounding relationship with respect to the pivot pin 64f for the pedal 60 .andhaving opposite terminal extensions bearing against the base plate- I30 and the pedal 60', respectively, for constantly urging the pedal 60' and member 66 toward inoperative position. The piston I44 is provided with a piston rod I50 which extends up into the interior of the bellows I36 and is suitably sealed against leakage therepastby.

means of a suitable packing gland I52. The upper end of the piston rod I50 may bear directly against the member 66', or, if desired, it may be connected by means of suitable links I54 to the member 66. as indicated. Thus when the pedal 60, is actuated in substantially the same manner as the equivalent pedal 60 in the previously described construction, the mechanism will be actuated to depress the piston I44 in the cylinder I40 and cause the braking fluid tobe displaced from the cylinder I40 through the usual and conventional tubes I56 which lead to the usual and conventional wheel brake cylinders (not shown) associated with the braking mechanism on the individual wheels of the associated vehicle in order to efi'ect actuation of the brake.

In order to provide a conventional brake fluid reservoir for the master cylinder I40,.a pan-like member I60 preferably. formed from suitable sheet metal or the like, is provided iniassociation with the master cylinder I40 and preferably fixed to the base plate I30 to provide a reservoir I62 the interior of which may be brought into open communication with the interior of the cylinder I40by means of a passage I64 through the wall of the cylinder each time the piston I 44 is moved to its fully inoperative position. Means such as the" tube I66 in communication with the reservoir I62 be extended to a suitable point for filling as indicated. 1

It will be understood that the operation of the modification shown in Figs. 7 and 8 is substanv tially identical to that illustrated in the previous views. the principal difierence being in themcorporation of the master cylinder'of the hydraulic braking system therewith and as a unitary p eof. In other words, in this case the unit comprises a base plate, the pedal 60', the member 66", the bellows I36 and ,themaster hydraulic cylinder assembly all of which constitutes the unitary assemblage applicable to and removable from the vehicle as such. Because of its character it obviously simplifies not only the construction and installation of the master cylinder itself but further provides for the installation of the vacuum booster mechanism at the exscribed any interruption or' failure of the source of suction will have no effect on the ability to of the brakes.

modifications abovedescribed for automatically 5 resisting a too severe application of the brakes of the vehicle-by the operator thereof. Such a form of means is illustrated in Fig. 9 and as being applied to the construction illustrated in Figs. 7

and'8, but it will be obvious that it may be applied 10 in the same or substantially similar form to the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive. As illustrated in'Fig. 9 this effect is obtained by providing a pair of spaced and parallel "ears I on the forward and upper end of the member 15 66'. A weight I82 is mounted upon the arm I84 of a bell crank which is pivoted between the ears I80 by means of a 'pin' I86 so as to'enable the weight to swing in a forwardly and rearwardly direction. When in inoperative position the center 20 of mass of the weight I82 is preferably above and to the rear of the pivot pin I86. The other arm of the bell crank is indicated at I88 and extends rearwardly and downwardly from the pin I86 and is provided with a bifurcated lower free :5 end which receives'the upper end of the valve plunger 92' therein and bears against the underside of the head 96. Preferably a washer I is positioned on the valve plunger- 92' below the bifurcated end of the arm I88 to serve as an abut- 80 mentfor the coil spring 982'] It will be appreciated that with the above described construction the spring 68 constantly urges the bell crank in a counterclockwise direction of rotation and ,so as to move the weight I82 I to its forwardmost position. As pressure is applied to the pedal 60' in order to actuate the cooperating brakes the bell crank is urged to move in a clockwise direction of rotation. If the operator presses too hard on the pedal 60' for a nor- "49 mal braking operation and so as to effect an un' reasonably great deceleration of the cooperating vehicle, the inertia of the weight I82 will tend to move it forwardly and cause the bell crank to rotate in a counterclockwise direction about the 5 pivot pin I 86. In thus tending to move forwardly about the pivot pin -I86 the weight I82 will act through the arms I84 and I88 and tend to move the pedal 60' in a clockwise direction of rotation about its cooperating "pivot pin 64 in a a direction opposite to that which the operator presses the pedal 60' in order to effect actuation By properly proportionin'g' the mass of the weight I82 with respect to itslever arm about the pivot pin I86, and the relative 55 length of the arm I88, any desired degree of reaction on the pedal 60' may be obtained, but it will be appreciated that the'desirable-amount is that which will act, uponian unreasonablysevere application of the brakes, to move the pedal 60' w toward an inoperative position against the force of the operator so as to automatically resist and relieve the severity of the braking action.

It will be appreciated that once the principles .of the present invention are made known to those 65 skilled in the art various modifications and changes in the illustrative embodiments of the I invention herein disclosed will at once be apparent and, accordingly, that formal changes may be made in the specific embodiments of the in- 70 vention described without departing from the spirit or substance of the broad invention, the scope of which is commensurate with the appended claims. I

What I claim is;

1.- Control mechanism comprising, in combination, a supporting member adapted forready ap ,plication to and-removal from a motor vehicle, a

pair of relatively movable members movably supported thereby, pressure operated means interconnecting said supporting member and one of said pair of members for effecting movement of the latter towards the former, valvular means for controlling said pressure actuated means and including a control element carried by one of said pair of member's movable relative to the other of said pair of members and extending into cooperative relationship with respect tosaid other of said movable members whereby'its movement is controlledby relative movement'between said pair of relatively movable members, all of said members and means forming a unitary structure applicable toand removable from a motor-vehicle as such solely by application and removal of said supporting member. J v

2. Control mechanism comprising, in combination, a base member formed for application to an automobile floor part,-a member supported by said base member for relative movement toward and away from the same, pressure actuated means connecting said members and operable to efl'ect relative movement therebetween, valve means carried by the second mentioned member for controlling the operation of said pressure actuated means and including a movable valve member, and a pedal member carried by said base member and movable. relative thereto and to said second mentioned member so constructed and arranged with respect to said movable valve member as to effect operation thereof upon relative movement of said pedal member with respect to said second mentioned member, all of said members and means forming a self contained unitary structure applicable to and removable from an automobile solely by securement of said base member to and removal of said base member from, respectively, a floor part of such automobile..

r 3. Control mechanism for an actuating member including, in combination, a base member provided with an opening therein for, reception of said actuating member. a pair of relatively movable members pivotally mounted on said base member and one of said pair of members being positioned for connectionto said actuating member, pressure actuated means interconnecting said base member with said one of said relatively movable members and adapted to effect relative movement therebetween whereby to effect actua-.

tion of said actuating member, a-control valve for said pressure actuated means, and a control element for said valve carried by one of said pair of relatively movable members and being movable relative thereto, said control element being positioned in the path of relative movement between wt relatively movable members whereby to rolled by relative movement between them. V Q

4. A self contained control mechanism including, in combination, a base member adapted for ready application to and removal from a motor vehicle, a member pivotally associated therewith, a bellows having the opposite ends thereof fixed and sealed with respect to said basemember and said relatively movable member, respectively,

valvular means communicating with the interior of said bellows for controlling the flow of a motive fluid with'respect'thereto, a movable control element for said valvular means carried by and movable relative to said movable member, and a pedal pad movably supportedby said base memher and movable relative to said movable member arranged in cooperative relationship with respect to said control element for controlling the operation thereof, all said members, bellows, means, element and pad forming a unitary assemblage applicable to and removable from a motor vehicle as such solely by securement and removal respectively of said base plate to and from such motor vehicle.

5. In a device of the type described, in combination, a, base member, a member carried by said base member for pivotal movement toward and away therefrom, a bellows having the opposite ends' thereof sealed and secured relative to said base member and said pivot member, respectively, a valve forcontrolling the flow of fluid into and out of said bellows carried by said pivoted member and including a valve plunger, spring means constantly urging said plunger toward a projected position with respect to" said pivoted member, and a pedal pad pivotally supported by said base'member arranged in overlying relation with respect to the projected end of said plunger and cooperable therewith to move said plunger against the force of said spring means. v

6. In a device of the .type described, in combination with a member to be actuated, a base member adapted to be fixed in position, a foot pedal pivotally mounted on said base member for movement toward and away therefrom, a second member pivoted tosa'id foot pedal about a line spaced and operable by movement of said foot pedal rel ative to said second member, the resultant line of forceexerted by said pressure actuated means upon said second member being exerted on said second member at a point outwardly of the point of contact therewith with said member to be actuated from the pivotal point thereof whereby the operating force of said pressure actuated member tends to rotate said foot pedal in a direction opposite to that required to move said plun r in an operative direction.

7. In a device of the type described, in combination, a base plate, a pedal pad pivotally mounted upon said base plate, a member pivotally supported bysaid base plate'between said base plate and saidpedal pad and movable relative to both thereof, a bellows interconnecting said base plate and said pivoted member, valvular means controlling the admission of air to and exhaustion of air from said bellows including a control element supported and movable with and relative to said pivoted member,- spring means constantly urging said control element toward contacting relation with respect to said foot pedal and simultaneously to a position in which the interior of i said bellows will be subjected to atmospheric pressure, said foot. pedal being movable toward said pivoted member whereby to move saidcontrol element to a position in which the interior of said bellows is closed to communication to the atmosphere and open to communication with a source of suction, the construction and arrangement being such that movement oi said pivoted member under the influence of suction within said bellows tends to separate said pivoted member and said foot pedal whereby to permit movement of said control element to a position in which the interior of said bellows is cut ofi from communication with said source of suction, all of the aforementioned parts constituting a unitary assemblage applicable to and removable from a motor vehicle solely by securement of said base plate to and removal of said base plate from, respectively, said motor vehicle.

8. In a device of the type described, in com-.

bination, a foot pedal, a pivotal mounting for said pedal, a member pivoted to. said foot pedal about a line parallel with respect to the pivotal axis of Y said foot pedal but spaced therefrom, power means for effecting pivotal movement of said pivoted member, a member to be actuated operatively connected to said second member between the resultant line of force of said power actuated means and the pivotal axis of said pivoted member, control means for said power actuated means, and a control element 'for said control means movably associated with said pivoted.

member and engageable by said foot pedal for effecting operation thereof..

9. In a motorvehicle having a floor part, the' combination of control mechanism comprising a supporting member secured to said floor part, a pair of relatively movable members movably supported by said supporting member above said floor part, pressure operated means interconnecting said supporting member and one of said pair of members for eifecting movement of the latter towards the former, valvular means for controlling said pressure actuated means and includin a control element carried by one of said pair of members movable relative to the other of said pairof members and extending into cooperative relationship with respectto said other of said movable. members whereby its movement is controlled by relative movement between said pair of relatively movable members, a master cylinder for a hydraulic braking system fixed with respect to said base member, a plunger in said cylinder, and means interconnecting said plunger with said one ofv said members.

10. In a motor vehicle having a floor part, the combination with said floor part of a base member secured to said floor part, an actuating member pivotally mounted on said base member in superposed relation with respect thereto, a foot pedal pivotally supported by said base member above sa d actuating member, pressure actuated means interposed between said actuating member and said base member, valvular means for controlling the flow of fluid to said pressure actuated means including a control element interposed between said actuating member and saidwfoot pedal for actuation upon relative movement between said foot pedal and said actuating member, a cylinder carried by said base member and projecting downwardly therefrom to a position below said floor part, and a piston in said cylinder operatively connected to said actuating member for movement thereby upon relative movement thereof with respect to said base member.

1 1. In a motor vehicle having a floor part, the combination with said floor part of a base member secured thereto, an actuating member pivotally mounted with respect said base member, a foot pedal pivotally supported by said base member, pressure actuated means interposed between said actuating member and said base member, vaivular means for controlling the now of and said actuating member, a cylinder carried by said base member, a piston in said cylinder operatively connected to saidactuating member pedal pivotallysupported by said base member, pressure actuated means comprising a bellows having the opposite ends thereof sealed'and' secured to said base member and said actuating, member, respectively, for effecting movement of said actuating member in an operative direction,-

valvular means for controlling the flow of fluid to said pressure actuated means including a control element interposed between said actuating pivotally mounted with respect thereto, a foot member and said foot pedal for actuation upon relative movement betweensaid foot pedal and said actuating member, a cylinder carried by said base member, a piston in said cylinder, and means extending into the interior of said bellows and connected to said actuating member for effecting actuation of said piston.

13. In a motor vehicle having a floor part and a clutchor brake pedal lever projecting therethrough, the combination of a base member secured to said floor part about said lever, a foot pedal and an actuating. member pivotally associated with each other with said actuating mem;

ber interposed between said base member and said Y foot pedal, said actuating member being connected to said lever, a bellows interconnecting said base member and said actuating member for ef-' fecting actuation of said actuating member in,

opposition to the resistance of said lever to movement in one direction, valvular means carried-by said actuating member for controlling theflow of fluid to and from the interior of said bellows and including a movable control element arranged for actuation by said foot pedal, and means constantly urging said control element toward an inoperative position.

14. In a booster mechanism for the braking systemmoia motor vehicle, in combination, an actuating member for the brakes, power actuated means for actuating said actuating member, control means for said power actuated means in-' cluding a movable control element carried'by and movable with respect to said actuating member,'a footpedal arranged in overlying relationship'with respect to said actuating member operatively associated with said control element to efiect actuation thereof in one direction upon movement of said foot pedal toward said actuat-' ing member, and inertia operated means operatively interconnected between said actuating member and said foot pedal operable to resist movement of said foot pedal in an operative direction upon abnormal deceleration of the associated vehicle. 1 15. In a booster mechanism for the braking sysa 9,207,700 tem of a motor vehicle, in combination, an actuating member for the brakes, power actuated 1means for actuating said actuating member,

control means for said power actuated means including a movable control element carried by and movable with respect to said actuating member, a foot pedal arranged in overlying relationship with respect to said actuating member operatively associated with said control element to effect actuation thereof in one direction upon movement 'of said foot pedal toward said actuating member, inertia operated means operatively interconnected between said actuating memior actuation upon relative movement of said mass in one direction about its pivotal axis to resist movement 01' said foot pedal toward said actuating member. I

16. In a motor vehicle having a floor part and an actuating member projecting through said floor part and movable in a direction transversely to the plane thereof, the combination of control mechanism comprising a base member fixed to said floor part about said actuating member, an operating member pivotally supported by said base member for movement toward and away therefrom and operatively connected to said actuating membenpressure actuated means in terconnectlng said base and operating members and adapted to effect relative movement therebetween, a control element carried by said operatingmember and for controlling actuation of said pressure" actuated means by relative movement with respect to said operating member, and

"a pedal pad' movably supported by said base member for relative movement with respect to said operating member {or efl'ecting operation of said control element, spring I means acting through said control element to constantly urge said pedal pad towards one limit of its movable position, and means cooperating between said pedal pad and said operating member limiting an actuating member projecting through said floor part and movable in a direction transverse- 1y to the plane thereof, the combination of control mechanism comprising .a base member fixed.

to' said floor part about'said actuating member, a pedal pad pivotally supported upon said base member, an operating member pivotally supported by said pedal pad for movement toward and away from both said pedal pad and said I .base member and interposed therebetween and operatively connected to said actuating member,

fluid' actuated means interposed between said operating member and said base member/ and operable to effect movement of said operating member towards said base member with said actuating member, and a control valve for controlling actuation of said pressure actuated means including a control element carried by said operating member and positioned for actuation by said pedal pad, the pivotal axes of said pedal pad and said operating member being arranged in spaced relation with respect to each other.

18. In an automobilehaving a toe b'oardand brake mechanism including a brake lever ex-' tending through said toe board, the combination of a pair of relatively movable members overlying the upper end .of said lever and at least one of said members operatively engaging the same, pressure operated means interconnecting said one of said membersand said toe board for effecting movement of said one of said members toward said toe board and to simultaneously move said lever in a brake applying direction, valvularmeans for controlling .saidpressure actuated means and including a control element carried by one of said pair of members movable relative to the other of said pair of members and extending into cooperative relationship with respect to said other of said movable members wherebyits movement is controlled by relative movement between said pair of relatively movable members, all said members and means forming a unitary structure applicable to and removable from a motor vehicle as such by securing said pressure actuated means to said toe board and said onev of said members in position overlying said lever.

. GILBERT E. PORTER. 

